The parliamentary Caucus on Anti FGM led by its chair Elgeyo Marakwet women representative Dr. Susan Chebet, met with stakeholders from Mt Elgon Sub County who are mainly from the Sabaot community, to deliberate on how to counter the culture of female genital mutilation practiced among them.
Chebet pointed out that the practice is now outlawed and those still engaging in it are supposed to be jailed saying it has been a challenge to the young girls who are from the FGM practicing communities as during this season, some parents force them to undergo the cut against their wish.
She disclosed that as a caucus, they will be traversing the communities that have been practicing the culture to get views from them on the best ways of dealing with it highlighting that some of the issues they have so far gathered include offering an alternative rite of passage to the children.
The national anti FGM board chair Linah Jebii Kilimo said that it is unfortunate that some families are still performing the cut on their children which she says has many effects that may include having to marry them off or even death as it is a dangerous act.
She added that as a board, they are working to ensure that the culture is completely faced off from the community and called upon all stakeholders to work together with them to ensure they promote girl child education as an alternative.
“I call upon the media to also be fully involved in ensuring they community is sensitized against engaging in the practice as through the media forums, information can be able to be relayed to mass audience,” she said.
Bungoma County women Representative Dr. Reginalda Wanyonyi said that the caucus targeted Mt Elgon since it is dominated by the Sabaot community which has previously been associated with the culture of FGM.
She added that as part of the measures to curb the vice, they will be conducting seminars to sensitize the community against the vice.
She further disclosed that Mt Elgon has also been previously affected by cases of underage pregnancies saying that a rescue center will also be set up as one of the ways to curb the issues of girls undergoing the cut.
However she called upon stakeholders to join efforts in ensuring that the practice is completely faced off from the society.
She stated that having the affirmative action fund as well as the Uwezo fund among many other funds, can enable women to form groups and start up different development projects that will be able to plough back enough profits to them.
Dhiwa Mp Agostino Neto, who is a member of the human rights committee in parliament, said that the caucus is tasked with ensuring that the practice is completely faced off saying that the girls are supposed to be given equal opportunities as boys.
His sentiments were echoed by Trans Nzoia women representative Janet Nangabo, who called upon the society to embrace girl child education and desist from the practice saying it hinders the potential of the girls to reach their full potential in the society.
One of the reformed circumcisers from Mt Elgon Lydia Chemunto, narrated how she was the much sought after person to perform the cut saying that she regrets her actions and since she reformed, she will continue to be an ambassador of change.
You can also read, Parents urged to shun traditional circumcision
Bungoma County women representative Dr. Reginalda promised to buy her a cow to help her cater for her daily needs since she used to depend on the cut as a source of livelihood.
Among the members of the caucus who were present include Nyamira County women rep Alice Chai, Tharaka Nithi women Rep Beatrice Nyaga and the Marsabit County women rep Nasra Ibrahim as well as member of the Njuri Ncheke council of elders from Meru.